Wellington jumped back to the top of the table with a three-day, two-wicket win over Central Districts at Palmerston North.

Despite the early finish, it was a tight conclusion as the visitors scrambled to 158 as Richard Sherlock (4 for 36) did his best to cause an upset.

Wellington had earned first-innings points on the opening day of the encounter as they passed Central Districts' 150 and went on to reach 346 with half-centuries to Parlane, Crook, Bowden and Nevin.

Timothy Lythe (75) and Peter Ingram (60) started the recovery well and Timothy Weston (43) and Michael Mason (39) improved Central Districts' prospects as they posted 353, but it was not quite enough.

Wellington, who needed Mark Gillespie's 6 for 114 on his return from international duty, had Stephen Gellatly's unbeaten 53 to thank for getting them home, while Gillespie's 29 from No.9 was also important.

The match between Auckland and Canterbury, which will finish on Wednesday, will determine whether Wellington stay in first spot entering the final preliminary round.

Centuries to James Marshall and BJ Watling could not seal a win for Northern Districts, who in the end had to hang on for a tense draw against Otago in Hamilton.

Chasing a testing target of 332 on the final day, the home team lost Marshall for 117 - his 158-ball stay included 13 fours and four sixes - while Watling (118) remained until he was sixth out, leaving the side with 48 to go.

They lost another two quick wickets and had to call off the chase, finishing at 300 for 8.

Nathan McCullum's 106 not out and a second half-century of the game for Warren McSkimming were responsible for Otago setting a strong target as they closed at 332 for 6.

Neil Broom's 150 stood out in Otago's first-innings of 327, with Brent Arnel capturing four wickets, while Northern Districts gained the early points with 328 for 8 declared, a total relying on Daniel Flynn's 109 and Cameron Merchant's 89.